| Memphis rap | |
|---|---|
| Other names |
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| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Mid- to late 1980s,Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Typical instruments | |
| Subgenres | |
| Other topics | |
Memphis rap (also known asMemphis hip-hop, orMemphis horrorcore[2]) is a regional subgenre ofhip hop music that originated inMemphis, Tennessee, during the mid- to late 1980s.
Memphis rap has been characterized as being low budget, using repetitive vocal hooks and a "distorted",[3]lo-fi soundscape[2] that uses theRoland TR-808drum machine[4] and minimal synth melodies.[5] The genre commonly featuresdouble timeflows withtriplet flows,[3] and routinely uses samples ranging fromsoul andfunk tohorror film scores and classical music, as well as hooks from songs by related rappers in the same genre, althoughDIY production without sampling is common as well.[6] Because of the lack of resources, bedroom studios were often pushed to the extreme. Usually, the lyrics are quite dark and depict graphic subject matter.[3] And similar toNew York, their samples are known to be raw and pitched with somescratching in the background.[7]DJ Spanish Fly had introduced the synthetic drum-kit sound with the TR-808, splitting the Memphis scene in two between those who preferred the live versus the digital sound. Alongside a strong drum beat were "cowbell, syncopated rhythms, powerful sub-bass, and sharp digital snares", these elements becoming the hallmarks of the Memphis rap sound.Looping is also a signature with no steadfast rule, although looping is used over chopped edits.[3]
Memphis artists released recordings on independent labels. The dominance of New York and Los Angeles's hip hop scenes forced southern artists to form an underground style and sound to compete with the other regions. Artists used a grassroots approach through word-of-mouth in the club scene and mixtapes to promote their music.[8]
DJ Spanish Fly is commonly cited as one of the pioneers of the genre,[9] being the bridge between 1980selectro-funk and the heavier gangsta rap of the following decade.[3]
Other early artists and groups associated with Memphis rap include C-Rock,Gangsta Pat, Lil SlimLa Chat, Skimask Troopaz, Gimisum Family,Project Pat,Tommy Wright III,Princess Loko, Da Crime Click, Lil E, Stout Pimp, Bloody Bones, II Tone, DJ Squeeky, DJ Zirk, DJ Sound, Blackout,Playa Fly,Gangsta Boo,Al Kapone, Lil Heavy, Mental Ward Click, MC Mack, Lil Noid,[10]8Ball & MJG, andThree 6 Mafia, with the latter two achieving relative commercial success and even anOscar.[11][12][13] Three 6 Mafia'sMystic Stylez and other releases by members of the group such asCome with Me 2 Hell byDJ Paul andLord Infamous[14] and Lil Noid'sParanoid Funk[10] were particularly influential in the genre's development.
Despite largely staying underground, it has attained acult following on the internet fromMP3 blogs, influencing rappers such asLil Ugly Mane,Freddie Dredd,Denzel Curry, andSpaceGhostPurrp, and has seen a large boom in popularity through other artists including$uicideboy$ and other artists recording for the G59 record label. It has also brought in the rise ofcrunk,trap music, andphonk.[2][15]
